BOSTON, Nov. 18 (UPI) — Former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie on his Facebook page Wednesday announced the death of his parents — who each apparently died of a heart attack less than an hour apart.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am making this statement. This morning my family experienced the tragic loss of my father, Dick and mother, Joan,” Flutie said in the post. “My Dad had been ill and died of a heart attack in the hospital and my Mom, less than an hour later had a sudden heart attack and passed away.”
Dick and Joan Flutie had been married for more than five decades.
“The most important part of their 56 years of marriage was providing opportunities to their children,” the former New England Patriots quarterback continued. “They were incredible parents and Grandparents and my family and I will miss them both.”
Flutie, who spent his collegiate career at Boston College, had a 20-year professional football career — which included two stints in the National Football League between 1986-1989 and 1998-2005.
Boston College tweeted its condolences Wednesday.
“Our hearts go out to the Flutie family, all of whom are in our prayers,” the university said.
Flutie is perhaps best known for completing a “Hail Mary” pass in college to beat the 12th-ranked and defending champion Miami Hurricanes on Nov. 23, 1984.
“I would like to honor my parents for all that they did throughout my and my brothers’ and sister’s lives,” Flutie’s Facebook post said.
“They say you can die of a broken heart and I believe it.”
